Although this is my second time officially living overseas, it’s still interesting to me how the first months in a new place feel so much slower and longer than the rest of the months, combined!
I’m approaching my second month here in Budapest and it feels like it’s been years, not just a handful of months. It’s been so eventful at work, and a little too uneventful on the fun side of things, but as the sun comes out more, I get out more! Here’s what I’ve been up to:
TWO MONTHS IN BUDAPEST: BY THE NUMBERS
SIX WEEKS at my new job! Some days it feels like its been six years…
TWO four-day weekends…in one month! So spoiled. I’ll make up for it as April, May and June have ZERO breaks. (Except for going back to the States for my sister’s wedding!)
ONE NIGHT out at the ruin pubs! This one, Szimpla, is the most famous I believe, and it’s a must visit. Try to find the bathtub! I was so surprised to discover the bar food they sell: CARROTS. I’m sorry but that is the worst drunk ever. However, I saw quite a few people chomping away throughout the night, so they seem to do brisk business.
FOUR HOURS at a pen factory for my first field trip with the kids! It would not have been my choice to take the kids there–nor would it have been my idea to immediately give 18 first-graders long, flexible pen tubes that can be used to injure each other/themselves–but still, they seemed to enjoy it. I can’t tell you much about it as not a word of it was in English, but it was a clean factory with a lot of big machines.
TWO MINUTES accidentally walking onto a movie set.
THREE HOURS at our new favorite bistro. It felt like stepping back into time, and right into the Great Gatsby. Plus, the food–incredible!
ONE national holiday experienced. Although I’ve been sick (again!!) most of this holiday weekend, we did manage to pop into Parliament, since it was free yesterday!
SEVERAL DAYS of sunshine to help explore the city a little more. I love finding little neighborhoods that have their own distinct personality.
THREE wine bars visited. The Hungarians are all about their wine and for good reason! My favorite is DiVino, but it’s fancy, I’m looking forward to visiting smaller tasting rooms in the near future.
COUNTLESS VIEWS of the city at night. A sparkly Budapest might be my favorite way to see the city. Be warned, though–everything gets turned off at midnight! I guess that’s when Cinderella has to go home…and everyone else wakes up to start clubbing.
TWO new coffeehouses visited. This one, Espresso Embassy, might be my new favorite, although it’s crowded!
MORE almost-daily views of Parliament–sunny, cloudy, snowy, foggy, I love it in all weather.
How was your month? Is it springtime yet where you are?
See also:
One Month in Budapest: By the Numbers
Oh man, can you imagine of Prague’s buildings all lit up at night got turned off at midnight? Nobody could find anything 😉 Your post got me really excited for Easter — hooray! I really really wish I could remember where this one restaurant was I visited 10 yrs ago: it is all you can eat AND drink! First education in Hungarian wine, hah.
Haha so true. It’s not so serious as an issue here but the first few times it happened I was confused lol. Hope you had some delicious Hungarian wine, I loveeee it 🙂
It is so funny how slowly those first few months abroad go! Now for me time is just flying by, but I remember my first 6 months in Iceland felt like years!
Isn’t that funny how that happens? Time is still passing so slowly here–it hasn’t even been three months!
pencil factory? sounds fun:)
Hahaha kind of 😉
Glad you are starting to settle in – the food and drink discoveries are key to that I’m sure 🙂 I had a super fun night in Szimpla Kert but I agree, carrots are the weirdest drinking food!
Oh yes it’s so fun, we had a great night. I was so confused when I saw people munching on these giant carrots, lol! Why those???
Looks like a great couple of months! Really jealous 🙂
It’s been a good but tricky transition 🙂